Raised on sushi from the age of kindergarten in his home country of South Korea, Kevin Kim moved to Los Angeles in 1997 and worked his way up as a chef in high-end sushi restaurants. After vacationing in Santa Cruz and falling in love with the area, he moved here and eventually found a home at Wasabi Sushi in Capitola. There, he went from employee to owner with his own style and menu, opening a second Scotts Valley location a year ago with premium all-you-can-eat sushi (which Kim says is rare, no pun intended).
The ambiance is centered on modern Japanese style, spacious and open, with a private and cozy outdoor patio. The Special Rolls are big and headline the menu, like the Volcano: a California roll covered with salmon, topped with spicy tuna and finished with special baked sauce. Another favorite is the Yellowtail Delight, fresh tuna layered with avocado, cucumber, jalapeño, green onion and smelt egg roe.
There are bento boxes with chicken teriyaki, veggie tempura and gyoza. The dessert not to miss is the deep-fried banana split. Open every day, 11:30am-2:30pm for lunch (except Sunday) and 4:30-9pm for dinner.
Tell me about your love for sushi?
KEVIN KIM: I was born and raised oceanside in South Korea, and started eating sushi from the age of five with my dad. I fell in love with it, and knew that I wanted to make it my life’s work. One of my favorite parts about being a sushi chef is getting to be creative and make very outside-the-box rolls. When the customers fall in love with my food, it makes me happy, brings me joy and makes me want to keep going.
What is your business philosophy?
KK: Here, we are all about fresh sushi at a reasonable and affordable price. Sushi is usually thought of as expensive, but here we really focus on low prices, but high quality. We aim to combine good food with kind, professional and efficient service. We try to cater to occasions ranging from a romantic date to a big family dinner, and everything in between. And lastly, our goal is that no one leaves hungry.
11 Camp Evers Lane, Scotts Valley, 831-201-4293; wasabisushisv.com
So annoying that they don’t have the address listed when headline is “Capitola”